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 Pakistan to Tour Zimbabwe and South Africa for White-Ball and All-Format Series

Bulawayo, 23 November 2024

 Pakistan is set to embark on a packed African safari as they gear up for a three-match ODI and T20I series against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The tour will commence on 24 November and conclude on 5 December. Following this, Pakistan will head to South Africa for an all-format series, scheduled from 24 November 2024 to 7 January 2025.

This series against Zimbabwe marks Pakistan's second ODI assignment in November, having previously defeated Australia 2-1 on their home soil earlier this month.

Aqib Javed Takes Over as Interim White-Ball Head Coach

Former fast bowler and current member of the National Men’s Selection Committee, Aqib Javed, has been named interim head coach for white-ball formats. His tenure extends until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which Pakistan will host. The ODI series in Zimbabwe will serve as his first challenge since joining the squad last Friday.

 Team Preparations and Squad Changes

Led by captain Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s ODI squad arrived in Zimbabwe on Wednesday and has since undergone three intense practice sessions. The 15-member squad sees significant changes, with the likes of Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Arafat Minhas resting. In their place, uncapped players Abrar Ahmed and Ahmed Daniyal join the team alongside pacer Shahnawaz Dahani and batsman Tayyab Tahir.

Pakistan last faced Zimbabwe in a bilateral ODI series in Rawalpindi in 2020, winning 2-1. On their previous tour to Zimbabwe in July 2018, Pakistan dominated with a 5-0 clean sweep.

Captain Mohammad Rizwan’s Statement

Rizwan emphasized the importance of the Zimbabwe series, highlighting its role in testing bench strength ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. 

> “This series is crucial for us as we aim to maintain our winning momentum and test new players in the squad,” Rizwan said. “Zimbabwe is a competitive side, and we expect them to challenge us, but it’s also an opportunity to evaluate our temperament and depth as a team.”

ODI Squads

Pakistan ODI Squad 

Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Shahnawaz Dahani, Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir.

Zimbabwe ODI Squad

Craig Ervine (captain), Brian Bennett, Blessing Muzarabani, Brandon Mavuta, Clive Madande, Dion Myers, Faraz Akram, Joylord Gumbie, Richard Ngarava, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tashinga Musekiwa, Tinotenda Maposa, Trevor Gwandu.

 Match Schedule

(All matches will be held at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo)

ODI Series

- 24 Nov – 1st ODI (12:30 PM PKT)  

- 26 Nov – 2nd ODI (12:30 PM PKT)  

- 28 Nov – 3rd ODI (12:30 PM PKT)  

T20I Series

- 1 Dec – 1st T20I (4:00 PM PKT)  

- 3 Dec – 2nd T20I (4:00 PM PKT)  

- 5 Dec – 3rd T20I (4:00 PM PKT)  

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will provide match reports, while detailed scorecards and statistics will be accessible on their official platforms.